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Riding the 2010 Yamaha YZ250F at Washougal MX Park proved to be a terrific match. The updated YZ-F is a very good machine - without succumbing to the fuel-injection craze.

There are times when even our best efforts at professional integrity falls to pieces. Usually these are our worst moments, but for a short time on the north side of the Washington/Oregon border, it was just the opposite. An overcast morning on our final day of riding left the heavily watered Washougal Motocross Park to fully soak, and we spent the better part of the early hours shooting photos and spinning laps through the deeply disced soil on the 2010 Yamaha YZ250F. As lunch neared, the majority of journalists had changed clothes and were departing to catch their flights, leaving the track mostly empty. As we ate, the sun broke through fully and flooded the scenic facility. It was the best condition the track had been in for two days, but every journalistic pursuit disappeared and I thought about nothing except hitting my lines on the best laps of motocross I’ve experienced.

So I ditched my testing duties for a few minutes, sue me. The fact of the matter is that the 2010 YZ250F was so much fun to ride and the track was so immaculate that for the final outing or two, I didn’t care one bit about keeping notes, just the pure fun of doing what we love. I had already spent a full day and a half trying to sort out the new YZ-F, and by that time it was clear enough that the ’10 version is much improved and vastly different from the 2009 offering. Yamaha claims to have sold over 60,000 YZ250F machines here in America since it was introduced in 2001. That number is only going to get bigger once the public gets a chance to check out the 2010 bike.

The bi-lateral beam chassis makes all the difference with the 2010 YZ250F.

Most notable is the new bi-lateral aluminum chassis. This twin-spar design is much like the rest of the Japanese bikes, but the frame spars are very small. Yamaha claims that the vertical rigidity is similar to the ’09, but twisting and horizontal rigidity are much increased. With morning and noon track prep, we never saw any bumps on the Washougal track, which made for a difficult time feeling out the chassis and suspension. However, we were able tell that the 27.5 degrees of rake and extra 3mm of trail combine with a relocated steering head pipe to make a better-handling machine. The steering head is 12mm lower and 7mm rearward compared to ’09. This brings more weight to the front end and the 250F provides more feedback to the rider and better bite – both of which were appreciated on Washougal’s notoriously deceiving dirt. Since the chassis is more cramped, the radiators were forced back towards the rider as well. To keep the midsection from bulging, the radiators were made thinner from side to side, but fatter front to back to keep the same capacity. An additional mounting point was added as well.

With the bi-lateral beam design, engineers no longer have to wrap the fuel tank around a backbone. The 1.7-gallon tank is now down inside the spars which helps lower the center of gravity and adds to the Yamaha’s nimble attitude. This bike definitely likes to turn sharply, and, taking into consideration the smooth track conditions, it still feels very stable. There was one square hole on the track and it was in a sweeping right-hander that led up the hill in a to a fourth-gear step-up. We hit that thing lap after lap and the bike never got out of control, but we’ll be looking for nastier conditions in future testing. Light handling takes less effort, and that’s what Yamaha engineers wanted to provide each and every YZ-F owner.

“We tried to focus on making this bike the fastest for an entire race,” emphasizes Product Planning Manager, Derek Brooks.

With that, the bike is supposed to be thinner this year, but it didn’t feel that way to us. The YZ-F definitely has a better rider layout and is more compact, but thinner never really came to mind – not fatter, just not thinner. A flatter seat makes getting around very easy and the foam actually seems a little wider throughout, but very comfortable. Like last year, the four optional handlebar placements are a nice way to tailor the fit, and with the steering head farther back this year, it’s more needed. For a 5’11” frame, we liked the bars in the Number 3 position (forward post holes, rear off-set clamp position). The bar mounts are 5mm taller, as are the footpegs. We tend to like small-feeling motocross bikes, and the Yamaha falls into that category with a cockpit not unlike a Honda. Gone is the long-and-low sensation.

Known for its forgiving Kayaba suspension, Yamaha wanted to keep its reputation as one of the most comfortable machines. The speed-sensitive KYB fork is updated with a new surface treatment on the piston rod, revised internal damping settings and different fork seals. There really isn’t much to talk about here. Overall the front end works very well. Without any hard impacts to speak of, we softened the front compression clickers two clicks and left it alone the rest of the time.

The Kayaba suspension still rides very nice, but then again, anything would have on the immaculate Washougal track.

Out back is a new KYB shock, and this piece has more of an active role in the new model changes. Internal specs are redone, of course, but the biggest change is that the spring position is 30mm lower than previously. This was a direct result of a new air intake tract which we’ll get to in a second. The shock is adjustable for high/low-speed compression, rebound and preload. Our settings were at 101mm preload and we eventually found that backing out the high-speed compression a bit helped the rear end squat a little more and let the bike track straighter. We also noticed better traction on the rear end, especially when trying to seat bounce into the whoops (which were really a long set of doubles).

Yamaha managed to boost the power but still retain some of that usable, non-fatiguing rider-friendly delivery we’ve come to expect from blue motocrossers. Much of this comes from the air delivery already mentioned. The air filter is moved 10mm to the left to straighten the intake boot (which has more room thanks to the lower shock spring). Faster, smoother air intake and a new venturi-shaped Keihin FCR MX37 carburetor call for more fuel, so the jetting has been richened. The main jet jumped from 178 to 180, pilot from 42 to 45, with a richer needle and an extra quarter-turn on the fuel screw. Valve spring retainers are now aluminum for a 30% weight reduction which leads to less spring load and lighter spring pressure. A new D-shape exhaust port helps suck out the spent exhaust and the motor as a whole breathes better, revs faster and produces more pop – but only the good kind. Our test bike backfired just once in two days.

Riding a YZ250F around the outside edge of a berm is completely optional. It has the handling and motor grunt to work the inside just as well, if not better.

Grunt out of corners is the best improvement, but honestly the entire powerband is more effective and fun. The Yamaha used to scream its lungs out but not really generate any over-rev power, but that’s changed this year with additional pull on top. Whether torquing around or revving the beans out of the 13.5:1 compression engine, the exhaust note is pleasant. The mid-pipe steps from 45mm to 50.8mm and the muffler is 50mm longer. However, the muffler core diameter has cinched down from 42.7mm to 41.3mm, and the space between core perforations jumped from 4mm to 5mm which smoothes the outlet of gas. New ignition mapping is set for the updated motor characteristics.

Tucking the motor into the new frame called for new mount points so it now has one on each side of the head rather than a single located in the middle. A new oil sight window is now located on the ignition cover rather than the crankcase putting it up higher. It provides a view into what is now 100cc less capacity thanks to a slimmer oil tank. Internal ratios for third and fourth gears are a tad taller equating to roughly half a tooth on the rear sprocket.

Protecting the mill is a new skidplate. We like the extra burliness of aluminum, but there’s no denying that it can be a problem if it bends in the wrong spot. Plastic bends back, and it also doesn’t interfere with the rigidity of the chassis. Yamaha cites the latter as a main reason for swapping to a new single-piece plastic unit. The new version has less material up around the water pump, but it provides better coverage for the frame rails.

New bodywork is angular, sleek and basically awesome. We never had any issues with the more compact layout and love the way this new version looks. The white/red option is especially nice, plus we like how the light plastic shows less wear over time.

Our major complaint about the Yamaha in years past seemed like an illogical grievance until you sampled the bike. The YZ250F has been a great all-around performer, but it lacked character, pizzazz, wow-factor – whatever. It has always been something of a plain-Jane. That’s different for 2010, and we couldn’t be happier. Yamaha finally got with the styling program and reshaped the bodywork for an aggressive figure. A KTM-ish front fender, Husky radiator shrouds (which never caught any boots) and a stinger rear fender combine with the minuscule twin frame spars to give the Yamaha dirt bike a very unique appearance. Engineers also put some giddy-up in the motor which is now lively straight off the bottom, and though it doesn’t feel like it revs further, it’s actually doing something in the upper RPM. Plus, the thing corners like a madman, so there’s plenty of character in the 2010 YZ250F.

Yamaha likes to take care of its YZ-F customers with things like a 30-day warranty, 13 million dollars of contingency, a full microfiche catalog and online owner’s manuals, not to mention a full line of GYTR parts (though we don’t know why most of those “better” parts aren’t already on production bikes). Putting its bike in the best light is what manufacturers’ media relations people get paid to do, and Yamaha might prove to have done the best job of it this year. There wasn’t a single thing we didn’t like during our ride, which makes us extra hungry for another shot at the bike with other brands on hand for comparison and some tracks that are in less than perfect shape. As it was, the sample was enough to show that Yamaha has definitely succeeded in the primary objective – making the 2010 YZ250F better than the previous model - and by sizeable margins.

Doug#438
-Just got a 2010 YZ 250f last week...
January 30, 2011 04:29 PM
got one last week and at first i was reading the reviews and thought this bike wouldnt be "so hot" so i decided to just go with it and see how it turns out.. and i was REALLY suprised! i rode the fuel injected bikes and it was nice but didnt notice a HUGE change from the carb... then i took the yamaha for a spin turns out it was alot quicker! you would think since its carbed its goin to bog alot but it dosnt... this bike does not bog at all, and it handles better then any other bike i have ridden so dont bash on the yamaha untill u actually ridden it cause trust me.. you will think again once u have ridden it. all the changes yamaha made for 2010 were in the right direction.

tn
-yamaha
January 28, 2011 08:23 AM
the 10s look sick but it would be sweeter if they were fuel injected???

722Pop
-Play in the dirt
September 26, 2010 11:16 AM
You are all amazing, First of all there are many choices out there so just go and pick the color you like! And go out and twist the throttle. I was thinking when the fuel injected bikes where coming out why Yamaha did not jump on the band wagon as well. After seeing reading and having friends that have bought the 2010 crf 250r Im not sure if Yamaha has made a mistake or not going with fuel injection. The Honda has injectors that are leaking fuel in the engine oil causing oil back up in the air intake. The cranks are coming apart and clutches are granading. You say this is all bull? Go read the problems on thumper talk! I also know two different people who have had this problem so I know when there is smoke there is fire. I was looking at the 2011 KTM 250 SXF and when I had the opportunity to drill the Head KTM Tech at the dealer about his thoughts on the new Ktm I asked him what bike he owns and he replied a CRF 450. When I brought up the Honda injector problems he said that he has gotten so used to the smell of fuel in the engine that he just changes it some times twice in one day when riding and racing. Im not bashing Honda, Just saying the more high tech you put in the motors the more money it is going to cost u in mantanace. The Yamaha has a proven track record of reliability over any brand out their if you take care of the thing and service properly. The Kaw has just released their fuel injection, time will tell my buddy just picked one up.

fu fu
-awsome
July 18, 2010 08:13 PM
yamaha yz 250f is way better than any hondna and the front fender does not look like a beak! and yamaha lasts way longer than honda

RJ
-kawi
June 2, 2010 10:31 PM
Dude the 2010 kawi blowz the roof off.. you cant say nothing wrong bout that bike. no fuel injection this year but not needed. KAWI RULE!!

raja
-was up
May 25, 2010 09:24 AM
how can you ride a dirt bike and slide in a race?

Sticks
-2 strokes are going bye, bye
April 13, 2010 03:17 PM
Well for all you dinosaures that like 2 strokes, well you won't be able to get them anymore, unless you build your own.

dirt bike rider
-hey
April 4, 2010 08:23 PM
should i buy a yz250f or a crf250r

christian
-for everyone who talks down on yamaha or 4 strokes
February 24, 2010 06:02 AM
@250 guy - 4 strokes suck. |
well if you like rebuilding your top end replacing clutches checking valves and tearing up gas your right. or since 2001 when 4 strokes made major advances and now a' days a 4 stroke is a much more practical way to go. in every aspect. sorry man but i couldn't disagree more

srikanth
-yamaha
January 20, 2010 02:42 AM
sir i want new lauch biks

srikanth
-sd pujari
January 20, 2010 02:40 AM
hi

mr 7
-yz250f
January 13, 2010 04:42 AM
i think yamaha looks weird but i like it every 1 will get used to it soon and every 1 should just stop abusing each other over brands and whether there 2 or 4 strokes r better just get out theres and ride hard or go home

jon
-yam injection
September 28, 2009 07:40 AM
why should yam follow everyone one else this is the first time injection has been put in a mx and everyone else has followed why ?????

sebastian
-bikes
September 24, 2009 12:14 PM
here in brazil , the best your money can buy is yz250f... this realy good

ahipp 321
-haha
September 21, 2009 02:40 PM
it looks like a little short fat person

#465
-watta dunga
September 16, 2009 04:02 AM
was at the australian release of this bike.ill stick with a honda thanks.

Dude
-everyone
August 30, 2009 05:31 AM
Whats every1 crying for about what yamaha have and have'nt done, and if you havent rode the bike you dont know what its like, and fuel injection isnt really a neccesity!

pegnalveri
-YAMAHA!!!!!!!!!...YEAH!!!!!!!!!
August 4, 2009 01:28 PM
this is the best 250f ever made and sincerly yamaha is the best motorcycle brand in th world...kawa, honda, and suzuki are just shadows and dust

freako
-yamaha behind the times
August 4, 2009 08:15 AM
I see it took Yamaha 7 years to hopefully fix its front seals.Now how many more years will it take for fuel injection.Kawasaki rules!

timmy
-timmy
July 29, 2009 07:18 AM
dont go talking smack about yamaha if it werent for them you would still be riding with double rear shocks

SoCal Niles
-WTF....?
July 28, 2009 12:05 PM
Still carb'd. While the rest of the field goes injection...Yamaha still scared to inject the 250's. Oh well...lets see how they disappoint in 2011

yamaha
-2010
July 28, 2009 10:23 AM
bike looks amazing. hopefully i can sell my 09 and get one. good first ride report!!!

Tim B
-What The...
July 28, 2009 09:20 AM
I agree that the fender is disgusting. Why is it that Yamaha can't design a nice looking fender these days? They all look like beaks!
An when has Yamaha ever been better than Honda just because of the name? Come on...let's get real!

Ed
-fender
July 28, 2009 09:03 AM
What's up with the front fender? It looks like a beak, more so than in prior years.